If a race is suspended because of an accident or poor
track conditions then red flags will be shown around the circuit. When
this happens, the pit exit will be closed and all cars on track must
proceed slowly to grid without overtaking and then stop in staggered
formation with the first car to arrive taking up pole position. Any
driver pitting after the red flag signal will be given a drive-through
penalty.
The safety car will then be driven to the front of the
queue. While the race is suspended team members may come onto the track
to work on the cars, but refuelling is not allowed.
Cars that
were already in the pits when the red flag signal was given may be
worked on there. These cars, and any that enter the pits while the race
is suspended, may only rejoin the track once the race has been resumed.
At
least a ten-minute warning will be given before the race is resumed
behind the safety car, which will lead the field for one lap before
pulling into the pits. As usual, overtaking behind the safety car is
forbidden, unless a driver is delayed when leaving the grid, forcing
others to pass. In this case, the delayed driver may repass those cars
in order to regain his original position. If he fails to regain that
position before the end of the lap, he must pit and rejoin the race once
the field have passed the pit exit.
If for whatever reason it is
impossible to resume the race, the rules state that "the results will
be taken at the end of the penultimate lap before the lap during which
the signal to suspend the race was given”.
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